Wellesley cyclists to join Pan-Mass Challenge

Monday

Jul 3, 2017 at 12:28 PMJul 3, 2017 at 12:28 PM

On Aug. 5 and 6, 103 riders from Wellesley and Wellesley Hills will cycle up to 192 miles in the Pan-Mass Challenge with the goal of raising $48 million for critical research and cancer care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

During PMC weekend, more than 6,200 cyclists from more than 40 states and eight countries will return to Massachusetts to participate in the PMC, choosing from 12 routes of varying mileage that run through 46 towns. Cyclists are anywhere between 15 and 84 years old and range from triathletes to weekend warriors and everything in between.

Many riders participate in the PMC to honor a family member or friend lost to or being treated for cancer. More than 600 riders and volunteers are cancer survivors or current patients. The average cyclist trains for three months, solicits 40 sponsors and raises more than $7,000. Volunteers, spectators, donors and sponsors are part of the camaraderie on ride weekend, all working together toward a cure.

Since 1980, the PMC has raised $547 million dollars for Dana-Farber through the Jimmy Fund. The PMC is Dana-Farber’s largest single contributor, raising more than 52 percent of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue.

The PMC is presented by the Red Sox Foundation and New Balance. To make a financial contribution to a rider or become a virtual rider: 800-WE-CYCLE. Connect with #PanMass2017 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn.